Flexible Steam Frame For Steam Appliance

ABSTRACT

A flexible steam frame for use with a steam appliance having a rigid base and a plurality of flexible members that extend from the base to form a skeleton about a space for steam distribution. A hose with holes may extend from the base to the end of the skeleton to improve distribution. The base may include a handle which is coupled to a steam appliance. The wires may extend from the base, turn at a right angle and return to the base. The members may be metallic or plastic members in two spaced apart planes in an arc between about 20 to 90 degrees, or may be a plurality of wires which define a cylindrical form or a space having a substantially triangularly shaped profile. A matching towel with an opening on one or two sides is placed over the members and secured by elements attached to the opening(s).

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is based on and claims the benefit of U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 61/155,350 filed Feb. 25, 2009, all of which is hereinincorporated in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to steam appliances, and moreparticularly to a flexible steam frame for a steam appliance for use incleaning various surfaces (e.g., uneven surfaces and corner regions orthe like).

Steaming devices used to apply steam to household objects are wellknown. The uses of the devices vary widely, and may include theapplication of steam to drapes or other fabrics to ease wrinkles, andthe application of steam to objects to assist in cleaning the variousobjects and surfaces.

In general, nozzles used with the steam appliances do not have largesurface areas and a cloth or fabric pad is placed over a steam frame toprovide a steaming or cleaning surface. The fabric pad may have Velcrostrips to secure to cleats on the steam frame. Typically, a fabric steampocket is placed around a flat frame with baffles in order to increasethe cleaning surface area.

Notwithstanding the wide variety of steam appliances available, itremains desirable to provide additional steam products having improvedfeatures, such as, for example, the ability to clean various surfaces(e.g., uneven surfaces and corners or the like). These and otherinefficiencies and opportunities for improvement are addressed and/orovercome by the systems and methods of the present disclosure.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Generally speaking, in accordance with the invention, a flexible steampocket frame for use with a steam appliance is provided. In an exemplaryembodiment, the flexible steam pocket frame includes a rigid base and/orhandle and a plurality of elongated flexible elements such as, wires asbands or fingers that extend from the outlet end of the base to form askeleton. A flexible steam supply hose connected to a steam generatingappliance may be coupled to the inlet end of the base. Alternately, theinlet end of the base may be coupled directly to the nozzle of a steamappliance housing.

The present disclosure also provides for a flexible steam frame for asteam appliance including a base member having a steam inlet and a steamoutlet; and a plurality of flexible elements extending from the base atthe steam outlet to form an internal space for distribution of steam. Inone embodiment, the elongated elements are thin metallic or plasticmembers about 5 to about 8 inches long connected to the outlet end ofthe base. They generally are stainless steel and may be individualmounted elements or formed from a common base and fan out in an arcbetween about 20 to about 90 degrees. Bands are flat with are inwardlybent end sections about one-half to about one inch long with the endsoverlapping. Wires extend out from the base and may be bent 90 degreesat the end and return to the base. A steam towel substantially matchingthe shape of the frame formed by the elements is fitted over the frame.There may be an opening on one or two sides to allow the towel to beplaced over the bands and secured by Velcro strips attached to the openedge or edges. The towel can be secured by a plastic zipper. The steamhose may be permanently or removably attached to the inlet end of thebase.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present disclosure to provide animproved flexible steam frame for a steam appliance.

Another object of the present disclosure is to provide an improved steamframe having a handle with two sets of opposed pluralities of flexibleelongated bands extending from the handle to the steam outlet todispense steam in the space between the bands.

Still another object of the present disclosure is to provide a flexiblewire steam frame with improved internal steam distribution.

Additional advantageous features, functions and applications of thedisclosed systems and methods of the present disclosure will be apparentfrom the description which follows, particularly when read inconjunction with the appended figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

To assist those of ordinary skill in the art in making and using thedisclosed systems and methods, reference is made to the appendedfigures, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a steam appliance including the flexiblesteam frame constructed and arranged in accordance with the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a flexible steam frame constructed andarranged in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a perspective side view of a flexible steam frame with a steamtowel attached;

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the steam frame of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a plan view of one side of the flexible steam frame of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a hand-held steam appliance including aflexible steam frame and towel constructed in accordance with thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a flat wire flexible steam pocket withinternal steam distribution prepared in accordance with the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a round wire flexible steam pocket withinternal steam distribution prepared in accordance with the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a steam frame accordingto the present disclosure;

FIG. 10 is a side view of the steam frame of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a side view of an embodiment of a steam frame according tothe present disclosure;

FIG. 12 is a perspective partial view of the steam frame of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the steam frame of FIG. 11, with asteam towel attached; and

FIGS. 14 and 15 are side views of the steam frame of FIG. 11, with asteam towel attached.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure provides for improved steam appliances. Moreparticularly, the present disclosure provides for a flexible steam framefor a steam appliance for use in cleaning various surfaces (e.g., unevensurfaces and corner regions).

Referring now to the drawings, and in particular to FIG. 1, there isillustrated a perspective view of a steam appliance or steam cleaningdevice 11 including a main body or housing 12. A steam release hand grip13 is coupled to housing 12 by a flexible hose 14 having a flexiblesteam frame 15 constructed and arranged in accordance with the presentdisclosure installed. In exemplary embodiments, steam frame 15 mountedon the distal nozzle end of hand grip 13 includes a steam towel or thelike at the distal end.

Housing 12 of steam cleaning device 11 includes a water inlet 22 and aninternal water reservoir 17 with heating elements connected to a powersource by a power cord 21. Steam generated in reservoir 17 exits bysteam outlet 23 with flexible hose 14 coupled thereto. Main body 12 maybe outfitted with a handle 24 and a strap 26 for conveniently liftingand carrying main body 12. Main body 12 also includes an on/off switch27 and an indicator light 28 to indicate when steam temperature isappropriate for use.

Once water has been heated sufficiently to generate steam within mainbody 12, a user may selectively release steam into flexible steam frameand towel 15 by operation of hand grip 13. In one embodiment, hand grip13 has an internal cavity and is elongated and curved for convenientlyfitting within the hand of a user. Hand grip 13 includes a proximalinlet end with a fitting for securing flexible hose 14 and, its distaloutlet end 30 is connected to steam frame 15 in accordance with thepresent disclosure. Hand grip 13 is fitted with a trigger 29 forselectively releasing and controlling the amount of steam fed into steamframe 15.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a flexible steam frame 31 constructedand arranged in accordance with the present disclosure. Steam frame 31includes a flat rigid elongated handle 32 substantially equivalent tocurved handle 13 having an inlet end 33 and an outlet end 34. Inlet end33 has a flexible steam hose 36 connected thereto. In an exemplaryembodiment, a plurality of flexible bands or fingers 37 arranged in afan-like shape in two substantially parallel planes are mounted tooutlet end 34 of handle 32.

Each band 37 is between about one-eight to about one-half inches wide,and about 4 to about 7 inches long constructed from a metallic material,such as, for example, stainless steel, or from a plastic material, suchas, for example, a polyolefin, polyester or polystyrene. At the distalend, each band 37 includes a bent portion facing the other series ofbands. In one embodiment and as depicted in FIG. 2 of a flexible steamframe 31 having an elongated and flattened handle 32, there is an upperfan-shaped set of bands 41, each with a bent portion 42 facing downward.Exemplary flexible steam frame 31 also includes a lower fan-shaped setof bands 43, each with a bent portion 44 facing upward. Bent portions 42and 44 overlap. Since upper bands 41 and lower bands 43 are spaced apartbetween about one-quarter to three-quarters of an inch, there is a space46 created between flexible bands 41 and 43 as shown in the sideelevational view of FIG. 4. FIG. 3 shows a steam towel 51 havingsubstantially the same outer shape as flexible band 41 and 43 placedover bands 41 and 43 and secured by Velcro strips or a plastic zipper.Towel 51 includes an upper surface 52 and a matching lower surface 53and two side edges 54 extending from outlet end 34 of handle 32 and acurved front edge 56.

Towel 51 has at least one split along edge 54 and may have two openingsor splits, one on each side at edges 54. The openings are closed withVelcro strips or plastic zippers or the like. Alternately, towel 51 maybe split at front edge 56. Bands 41 and 43 and towel 51 are shown in afan-like shape with an arc at the distal end and front edge 56. This arcmay be from about 20° to about 90° to provide suitable steam cleaningareas. Alternately, front edge 56 may be a straight line between the twoedges 54.

In an exemplary embodiment, handle 32 is elongated having an ovalcross-section and is about 5 inches in length. As shown in FIG. 1,handle 13 may be curved to fit a user's grip comfortably. Hose 14 or 36may be permanently or removably coupled or attached to inlet end 33 ofhandle 32. Steam generation may be controlled by on/off switch 27 andapplied to steam frame 15 by operation of trigger 29 in handle 13.

In an alternative embodiment, FIG. 6 is an elevational view of ahand-held steam appliance or device 51 having a main body 52 with aboiler 53 and an inlet 54 with locking cap 56. A handle 57 is mounted atthe top of main body 52 and has a steam release trigger 58 and a triggerrelease 60 mounted thereon. A nozzle 61 is mounted on main body 52opposite to handle 57. Steam is transferred from boiler 53 to a locationat which discharge of the steam is desired through nozzle 61 andflexible steam frame 15 as shown in FIG. 1. By using compatiblecouplings for nozzle 61 and frame 15, frame 15 may be directly connectedto nozzle 61 or to a hose, such as hose 14 in FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 illustrates a flexible, substantially flat, wire steam frame 71in accordance with the present disclosure. Frame 71 includes anelongated rigid handle 72 and a perpendicular wire base 73 at the distalend. In exemplary embodiments, handle 72 includes a steam inlet, andbase 73 includes a steam outlet. The steam inlet of handle 72 may have aflexible steam hose coupled thereto.

As shown in FIG. 7, a plurality of wires 74 (e.g., elastic metallicwires, plastic wires, etc.) extend from base 73. In an exemplaryembodiment, wires 74 are flexible stainless steel wires. Here, wires 74are arranged in two substantially parallel planes with each wire 74extending distally from base 73 to form a first leg 74 a, a right angleto run substantially parallel to base 73 to form an end section 74 b,and which returns to base 73 along second leg 74 c. Outer wire 74 islonger than inner wires 74′. Upper and lower wire planes are spacedapart to create a space 75 therebetween (e.g., where steam isintroduced). Base 73 typically includes a steam outlet for theintroduction and distribution of steam to the space 75. In exemplaryembodiments, the steam outlet is trumpet-shaped or bell-shaped to ensureeven steam distribution (e.g., throughout space 75).

A towel in the form of a steam pocket having two substantially parallelflat surfaces stitched about the two long edges and one short edge toform a pocket may be slipped or positioned over wires 74. The steampocket is a cloth or towel and may be formed of any suitable fabric suchas cotton or a synthetic fabric, such as polyester or polyolefin fiber.Preferably, the fabric is a microfiber. Most preferably, the microfiberis a synthetic polyester microfiber. The details are shown in U.S.application Ser. No. 11/083,421, the contents of which are incorporatedherein by reference in its entirety.

FIG. 8 illustrates a flexible wire steam frame 81 in accordance withanother embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 8, steamframe 81 is a round, cylindrical or tubular wire steam frame, althoughthe present disclosure is not limited thereto. Frame 81 includes anelongated rigid handle 82 and a circular planar base 83 at the distalend. A plurality of stainless steel wires 84 extend from base 83. Here,wires 84 are arranged along the circumference of base 83 and extendalong a first leg 84 a and then at substantially right angles to aradial end 84 b meeting the other radial ends at an end point 87. Thisconfiguration of wires 84 forms an internal cylindrical or tubular space85 where steam is introduced. In another embodiment, the wires 84 arearranged along the circumference of base 83 and extend distally to acircular end portion (not shown), thereby forming an internalcylindrical or tubular space 85 where steam may be introduced.Alternatively, the wires 84 may form various other shaped or definedinternal spaces 85 (e.g., conically shaped internals spaces,frusto-conically shaped internal spaces, tapered internal spaces,rounded and planar internal spaces, etc.) where steam may be introduced.

With reference to FIG. 8, a steam towel in the form of a cylindrical ortubular towel closed at the distal end and secured about base 83 isused. The towel may be secured at base 83 by an elastic or tie band orthe like about the distal end of handle 82. As depicted in FIG. 8, thecylindrical or tubular wire steam frame 81 provides an advantageousshape for cleaning various surfaces (e.g., small narrow areas and insideof round-shaped objects). The wires 84 are configured and dimensioned toprovide support for the towel so that the towel is kept in contact withthe cleaning surface.

In exemplary embodiments and as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, steam frames 71and 81 are shown with added internal steam distribution, although thepresent disclosure is not limited thereto. In both embodiments, handles72 and 82 are made of plastic (e.g., hard plastic) to provide the basethat holds all the parts together and is also user friendly for use.Wires 74 and 84 are fabricated from stainless steel or the like toprovide the elasticity and keep the fabric towel stretched andtightened, but wires 74 or 84 may bend when force is applied in order toaccommodate different angles of use.

An internal steam distributor is provided to ensure the even steamdistribution in internal space 75 and 85 in the form of an internalconduit 76 and 86 that extends from the steam outlet in handle 72 and 82and base 73 and 83 to wire ends 74 b and 84 b. In an exemplaryembodiment, internal conduit 76 and 86 is made of flexible hose and hasopenings 77 and 87 on both sides along the length thereof. The end 79,89 of conduit 76 and 86 is closed to prevent the steam from exitingstraight forward.

An elastic spring 78 and 88 made of stainless steel is wrapped aroundconduit 76 and 86 to provide elasticity for internal conduit hose 76 and86. Spring 78 and 88 also keeps hose 76 and 86 centered if there is noforce applied, but allows bending to accommodate changing the shape offrame 71 and 81 during use.

In an alternative embodiment and as depicted in FIGS. 9 and 10, steamframe 101 is a flexible, substantially round, cylindrical or tubularwire steam frame having an elongated rigid handle 102 and base 103. Aplurality of wires 104 (e.g., stainless steel or plastic wires) extendfrom base 103. As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, each wire 84 may be twistedor curved. Wires 104 extend from the base 103 along a curved pathdefining the cylindrical or tubular shape of the steam frame 101, andthen at right angles to a radial end 104 b meeting the other radial endsat an end point 105, to thereby define or form the cylindrical ortubular wire shape of steam frame 101. This configuration of wires 104forms an internal cylindrical or tubular space 186 where steam isintroduced. A steam towel in the form of a cylinder or tube closed atthe distal end and secured about base 103 may be used. The towel may besecured at base 103 by an elastic or tie band or the like about thedistal end of handle 102.

At least one advantage of having twisted or curved wires 104 is that thenumber of wires in the frame 101 may be kept to a minimum, therebyreducing the rigidity of the frame 101, which reduces the strain on theuser's hand during use. In addition, the twisted or curved wires 104provide increased support for the towel. This configuration also hasimproved properties for bending or flexibility, and also reduces thestrain and/or fatigue of the materials used in the frame 101. Asdepicted in FIGS. 9 and 10, the cylindrical or tubular shape of steamframe 101 provides an advantageous shape for cleaning various surfaces(e.g., small narrow areas and inside of round-shaped objects). The wires104 are configured and dimensioned to provide support for the towel sothat the towel is kept in contact with the cleaning surface.

In an alternative embodiment and as depicted in FIGS. 11-12, flexiblesteam frame 201 includes an elongated rigid handle 202 and a base 203.In exemplary embodiments, handle 202 includes a steam inlet 205, andrigid base 203 includes a steam outlet 207. The steam inlet 205 ofhandle 202 may have a flexible steam hose coupled thereto. The handle202 may be fixedly attached (e.g., solidly attached) or coupled to thebase 203. Exemplary base 203 takes the form of a rectangular base,although the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

Frame 201 further includes a plurality of wires or bands 209 (e.g.,elastic metallic wires, plastic wires, etc.) that extend from base 203.In an exemplary embodiment, wires 209 are flexible stainless steelwires. Frame 201 typically includes at least one upper wire 209 aarranged in a first plane and at least one lower wire 209 b arranged ina second plane, with the wires 209 a, 209 b extending distally from base203. In exemplary embodiments, frame 201 includes at least one upperwire 209 a, at least one lower wire 209 b, at least one first side wire209 c, and at least one second side wire 209 d, all of which extenddistally from base 203. In one embodiment, frame 201 includes an upperset of wires 209 a, a lower set of wires 209 b, and two side sets ofwires 209 c, 209 d, all of which extend distally from base 203. Upperset of wires 209 a and lower set of wires 209 b may take the form of asubstantially planar, rectangularly shaped set of wires, as shown inFIGS. 11 and 12, although the present disclosure is not limited thereto.Rather, upper set of wires 209 a and lower set of wires may take avariety of forms (e.g., substantially triangularly or conically shaped,etc.). Moreover, upper set of wires 209 a and lower set of wires maytake the form of a tapered or flared set of wires. Side sets of wires209 c, 209 d typically include curved or tapered portions 211 c, 211 d.In one embodiment, each set of wires 209 may have different levels offlexibility and/or elasticity.

In use and as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, a towel 215 or cloth or the likein the form of a steam pocket may be positioned or slipped over wires209 and base 203. As best seen in FIGS. 14 and 15, the pocket may have asubstantially triangularly-shaped cross-sectional profile, with thetowel 215 having an upper surface 217, a lower surface 219, two sidesurfaces 221, 223, and a back surface 225, the back surface 225 havingat least one opening or split. The towel 215 may be positioned over thewires 209 and at least a portion of the base 203, with the towel 215being releasably secured or positioned about the wires 209 and base 203by closing or securing the at least one opening or split of the backsurface 225 with Velcro strips or plastic zippers or the like. Afterreleasably securing the towel over the wires 209 and the base 203, uppersurface 217, lower surface 219, side surfaces 221, 223 and base 203 arespaced apart to create a space 227 therebetween (e.g., where steam isintroduced). In an exemplary embodiment, space 227 has a substantiallytriangularly-shaped cross-sectional profile. Base 203 typically includesa steam outlet 207 for the introduction and distribution of steam to thespace 227. In exemplary embodiments, the steam outlet is trumpet-shapedor bell-shaped to ensure even steam distribution throughout space 227.In general, the towel 215 overlaps the base 203 to seal openings thatmay leak steam. Thus, the steam exits the space 227 of the pocket bypenetrating the fabric of the towel 215.

In general, the upper set of wires 209 a, lower set of wires 209 b, andtwo side sets of wires 209 c, 209 d are configured and dimensioned toflex and/or bend to take the shape of the towel 215. For example, whenthe towel 215 is removed from the wires 209, the wires 209 may besubstantially straight (e.g., the wires 209 may be substantiallystraight and substantially perpendicular to a plane of the base 203, asshown in FIGS. 11-12). However, when the towel 215 is placed over thewires 209, the elasticity of the wires 209 allows them to bend and/orflex to take the shape of the towel 215, thereby forming space 227(e.g., space 227 having the substantially triangularly-shapedcross-sectional profile, as shown in FIGS. 13-14). With the towel 215positioned over the wires 209, the wires 209 are bent and under tension.In exemplary embodiments, this tension ensures that the towel 215remains stretched, taut and/or tight on the frame 201. The elasticity ofthe wires 209 thus allows for greater tolerances in the production oftowel 215 (e.g., the wires 209 allow various sized towels 215 to beplaced over them under tension), thereby providing a significantcommercial and manufacturing advantage as a result. In addition, inexemplary embodiments, the design of frame 201 allows for theindependent bending and/or flexing of each wire 209. This allows thetowel 215 positioned over the wires 209 to wrap around various surfaces(e.g., uneven surfaces) to be cleaned, thereby adding more versatilityto the frame 201, and thus providing another significant commercial andmanufacturing advantage as a result.

Moreover, when the frame 201 with the towel 215 positioned over thewires 209 is pressed against a surface to be cleaned (e.g., asubstantially flat surface), the frame 201 remains relatively stiff,which improves the scrubbing action of the towel 215 on the cleaningsurface. In exemplary embodiments, when the frame 201 with the towel 215positioned over the wires 209 is pressed against a surface to becleaned, forces inside the towel 215 and/or wires 209 immobilize thewires 209, and creates a link between at least an upper wire 209 a and alower wire 209 b, thereby increasing support for the towel 215. Forexample and as shown in FIG. 15, the shape of the towel 215 at thedistal tip 231 ensures that at least an upper wire 209 a and a lowerwire 209 b remain interlocked when a force F is applied to the frame 201(e.g., when the frame 201 is pressed against a surface 233 to becleaned). This interlocking or linkage greatly increases the rigidity offrame 201 and increases the force necessary to bend the frame 201. In anexemplary embodiment and as shown in FIG. 15, the upper wires 209 a mayhave a higher angle toward the cleaning surface 233, thereby allowingthe upper wires 209 a to provide greater support against bending. Inaddition, the lower wires 209 b may have a lower angle toward thecleaning surface 233, thereby allowing the lower wires 209 b to bendeasier, thereby ensuring that at least an upper wire 209 a and a lowerwire 209 b remain interlocked when a force F is applied to the frame 201(e.g., when a cleaning surface 233 upward reactive force F is applied tothe frame 201).

In an exemplary embodiment and as shown in FIG. 14, once the towel 215has been placed over the wires 209 to form the space 227 (e.g., space227 having the substantially triangularly-shaped cross-sectionalprofile), the substantially flat lower surface 219 of the towel 215 maybe positioned on or above and substantially parallel to a surface 233 tobe cleaned. Such positioning of the frame 201 allows the handle 202 tobe positioned at a higher position from the cleaning surface 233,thereby allowing more space for a user's hand between the handle 202 andthe cleaning surface 233. This positioning feature of the frame 201substantially eliminates the need for extra connections for the frame201 (e.g., extra handle 202 connections for the user), and simplifiesthe production and/or design of the frame, thereby providing asignificant commercial and manufacturing advantage as a result.Moreover, the fixedly attached or coupled connection between the handle202 and the base 203 improves a user's control of the frame 201 duringuse. As shown in FIG. 14, the low profile distal or front edge orportion 231 of the frame 201 allows for the cleaning of narrow spaces orsmall surfaces or crevices or the like, and the higher profile proximalportion or region 235 of the frame 201 allows for the efficient cleaningof corner surfaces or the like (e.g., allows for the cleaning of cornersurfaces or the like in one pass).

By providing a steam frame with flexible wires or bands that form askeleton or flexible frame with a steam towel to form an internal spacefor distribution of steam, the device has the needed flexibility forcleaning various surfaces (e.g., uneven surfaces and tight cornerareas). The added flexibility of attaching to a steam hose of a steamappliance or directly to the steam outlet of a hand steamer providesadded utility.

Although the systems and methods of the present disclosure have beendescribed with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, the presentdisclosure is not limited to such exemplary embodiments and/orimplementations. Rather, the systems and methods of the presentdisclosure are susceptible to many implementations and applications, aswill be readily apparent to persons skilled in the art from thedisclosure hereof. The present disclosure expressly encompasses suchmodifications, enhancements and/or variations of the disclosedembodiments. Since many changes could be made in the above constructionand many widely different embodiments of this disclosure could be madewithout departing from the scope thereof, it is intended that all mattercontained in the drawings and specification shall be interpreted asillustrative and not in a limiting sense. Additional modifications,changes, and substitutions are intended in the foregoing disclosure.Accordingly, it is appropriate that the appended claims be construedbroadly and in a manner consistent with the scope of the disclosure.

1. A flexible steam frame for a steam appliance, comprising: a basemember having a steam inlet and a steam outlet; and a plurality offlexible elements extending from the base at the steam outlet to form aninternal space for distribution of steam.
 2. The flexible steam frame ofclaim 1, including a plurality of flexible bands in a first plane and asecond plane extending from the base at the outlet; and the first andsecond planes spaced apart and substantially parallel to each other tocreate a space therebetween.
 3. The flexible steam frame of claim 2,wherein the flexible bands are arranged to emanate from the base in afan shape.
 4. The flexible steam frame of claim 3, wherein the edges ofthe bands form an arc.
 5. The flexible steam frame of claim 4, whereinthe arc extends between about 20 to 90 degrees.
 6. The flexible steamframe of claim 2, wherein the planes are between about one-fourth to oneinch apart.
 7. The flexible steam frame of claim 2, wherein the distalends of the bands are bent towards and overlap the bend ends of thebands in the opposed plane.
 8. The flexible steam frame of claim 1,including a plurality of flexible wires extending from the base at theoutlet and bent at the distal end and returning to the base to create aspace therebetween.
 9. The flexible steam frame of claim 8, wherein theflexible wires are arranged to emanate from the base in twosubstantially parallel planes.
 10. The flexible steam frame of claim 8,including a circular base at the distal end of the handle and the wiresemanate from the circumference of the circular base to create acylindrical space therebetween.
 11. The flexible steam frame of claim 1,including a hose with openings along the length and a closed endconnected to the steam outlet and extending to the end of the elements.12. The flexible steam frame of claim 11, including a spring wrappedaround the hose.
 13. The flexible steam frame of claim 10, wherein thewires are at least partially curved or twisted.
 14. The flexible steamframe of claim 1, wherein the internal space has a substantiallytriangularly shaped cross-sectional profile.
 15. A flexible steam framefor a steam appliance comprising: a base member having a steam inlet anda steam outlet; a plurality of flexible elements in a first and a secondplane extending from the base member; and a fabric member positionedover the plurality of flexible elements and at least a portion of thebase; wherein the plurality of flexible elements are configured anddimensioned to flex or bend when the fabric member is positioned overthe plurality of flexible elements to form an internal space for thedistribution of steam.
 16. The flexible steam frame of claim 15, whereinthe internal space has a substantially triangularly shapedcross-sectional profile.
 17. The flexible steam frame of claim 15,wherein at least the distal ends of the first and second planes movetowards one another when the fabric member is positioned over theplurality of flexible elements.
 18. The flexible steam frame of claim15, wherein after the fabric member is positioned over the plurality offlexible elements, the distal portions of the first and second planesare spaced closer together than the proximal portions of the first andsecond planes.
 19. The flexible steam frame of claim 15, wherein thedistal end of the first plane contacts the distal end of the secondplane after the fabric member is positioned over the plurality offlexible elements.